Automatic dispenser for collapsible tubes



May 12, 1953 w. M. HOULDSWORTH 0 AUTOMATIC DISPENSER FOR COLLAPSIBLE TUBES Filed Jan. 12, 1948 IN VEN TOR.

W [4; WM

Patented May 12, 1953;

UNIT-ED PATENT FFIC E 'AU'roMA'ri o nIsPENsERroR-coLLAPsiBIiE TUBES WallaceMJIouldsworth, Royal Oak, Mich.

Application January 12, 1948, Serial No. 1,855

13 Glaims. .1

This invention relates to a dispensing [device and particularly to improvements in :an automatic dispenser for "use with collapsible tubes containing semi-fluid or plastic materials.

An important object of this invention is to provide an improved dispensing device for automatically expelling the contents of atube when the discharge outlet is opened. Another important object of this invention is .taprovide a novel enclosure or jacket into whicha flexible collapsible tube containing plastic .material, such -as toothpaste or shaving cream, may "be inserted and used to evenly expel -the content material thereof. A further important "object of thisinvention is to provide :an enclosure or "jacket 'o'f this character which is "self-op'erabl'eito squeeze the tube and progressively -discharge the content material thereof when the outlet is opened.

The self-operable jacket or enclosure of this invention is especially adapted for discharging content material from a tube or container "of which the wall thereof is formed of -thin flexible material, and an important object of this "invention is to provide a novel combination "oflem'ents consisting of the self-squeezing jacket and a transversal clamping plate of this character enclosed therewithin.

In-carrying out the invention, the novel jacket is formed and arranged to enclose a collapsible portion of a collapsible tube *therewithin. The

jacket exerts a compressible force or pressureon the tube preferably progressing in strength rrom the forward discharge en'dof the tube toward "the rear sealed end thereof, so that when the dis charge outlet is opened all'the content material evenly advanced through the 'tube'and out of the discharge outlet, the amount of which expelled can be controlled by the length "of "time "the user allows the outlet to be-opened. There is preferably associated with the jacket a novel pressureclamp which is operable by the user to assist in moving the content material toward the -'dischar'g'e opening'. In use the novel clamping implement is initially assembled around the jacket over the Hattened end of the tube and is so constructed to assert a compressible force on the casing or jacket and thereby assist the latter in squeezing the content material toward the discharge "outlet. This clamp is optional in use and may be em ployed when the content material of the tube is heavy or solid enough to require additional man- 2 appended claimsand accompanying drawings, wherein-:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a jacket or casing of this inventionhaving enclosed therewithin acollaps'ibl'e dispensing tube and assembled pressure clamp,

Fig. 2 is a plane right hand end View of this invention showing the parts thereof in "full line prior to the insertion of -'a collapsibledispensing tube and showing in *dotted outline the position of the casing or jacket after the tube is inserted therein,

Fig. 3 is a right handjend view of the casing or jacket with a collapsible tube therein having an au'tomatic cut-off cap, and

Fig. 4 is a 'ba'ckf-view of the pressure clamp.

The dispensing 'd'evice'of this invention comprehends a collapsible casing or'jacket generally indicated at it into which "a dispensingtube of the character of conventional toothpaste-and shaving cream tubes is insertable. Preferably as sociated'with'the oasing'or jacket "it is a manually operable squeezing or clamping member generally indicated at M which is'capabl'e of traveling over the outer surface of the jacket and assisting the latter in expelling the content material fr'omfthe dispensing tube. g

The casing or jacket IT! is composed of material that will enable it to be formed so that the walls thereof j will exert a "compressible squeezing force upon the tube therewithin. Thetu'be jacket is formedwith two side wall sections indicated at l'6"l"'6 which prior to the insertion or the tube lay fiat together as shown in full line in Fig. 2. The two'- o posing Walls 'l6l'6 are int'e grally connected together at each of their opposite side rnargins by a rolled portion indicated at [8. The marginal portions 18-13 of the jacket or casing cause the side wall portions Iii-l6 to exert an inward pressure so that they normally tend to collapse together in substantially face-to-i'ac'c contact in the manner shown in full line in Fig. Throughout the length of the jacket, the rolled marginal portions 18-43 may be out or notched'by a series of V-shape'd- These cuts 2'8 are spaced apart openings 23. longitudinally of the jacket along each rolled portion [B -18 thereof and enable the jacket walls l6-'I 6 to be sprung apart from one another upon manually advancing th'e'two rolled edges toward one another. In use, the jacket is gripped in the hands so that the fingers when squeezing will draw the rolled edges Ill-1'8 toward one another and cause the wall portions Iii-l6 to expand apart and assume the substantiallycylim 3 dri cal shape shown in dotted outline in Fig. 2. While the jacket is thus expanded, a tube of the conventional type of toothpaste and shaving cream tubes may be inserted into the jacket.

One end of the jacket or casing ID secures the sealed end of the tube therein and is constructed for connection to a bracket or hook fastened to a wall or other form of vertical support. This is preferably accomplished, as shown in Fig. 1, by extending one of the wall portions l6 beyond that of the other and providing in the extension a hole 22 which may be used to hang the same from a hook secured to a wall. Except for the rolled over edges I8--l8 the balance of the side wall sections Iii-46 are left unconnected so that they may be readily expanded for reception of a dispensing tube. The opposite end 26 of the jacket when so expanded forms a mouth or entrance into which the dispensing tube may be inserted.

After the dispensing tube has been inserted, the squeezing pressure of the hands on the rolled portions is removed and the side walls l6l8 of the jacket compressibly engage the opposite sides of the tube exerting a pressure thereon tending to force the content material therefrom. Normally, no content material is discharged from the tube until the discharge outlet of the tube is opened. When opened, the side walls IG-IB of the jacket automatically squeeze the tube and progressively urge the content material out of the opening.

It is desirable to form the casing or jacket It) so that it exerts a greater squeezing pressure upon the tube at its sealed end and a progressive- 1y lesser pressure upon the tube as the forward discharge outlet is approached. This may be accomplished in several different ways one of which consists in varying the thickness of the material used in the jacket In from one end of the jacket to the other, or by progressively varying the distances between the V-shaped openings 20, or by progressively varying the size of the rolled marginal portions l8--l8, or by progressively increasing the size of the V-shaped openings 20, in fact any method that could be used that would produce less progressive inward pressure at one end than the other. The method illustrated herein comprises progressively decreasing the distance between the V-shaped cuts 20 from the closed supported end having the hole 22 of the jacket to the discharge end 26 thereof. For example, the notches are spaced relatively Widely apart adjacent to the closed end of the jacket and become progressively closer together as the opposite discharge end 26 of the jacket is approached. The closer the notches 20 are to one another the less the compressive force exerted on the side walls l6-|6 of the jacket.

There may be associated with the jacket or casing a clamping pressure member generally indicated at [4 which is mounted on the jacket for lengthwise movement therealong. The clamp comprises a back plate 28 provided with a narrow slot at 30 which at its opposite ends is widened at 32-32 as shown in Fig. 4 to admit the rolled edges l8--l8 of the jacket. In assembled position, the back plate element 28 extends transversely to the longitudinal axis of the casing or jacket Ill. The back plate is provided with two forward extending inwardly rolled portions 34-34 which exert a yielding pressure upon the walls [6-46 of the jacket. The rolled portions 34-34 and the back plate 28 of the clamp are preferably integrally joined together so that the clamping member is composed of one piece.

The outer edges, therefore, of the rolled portions 34-34 are connected to the back plate. The inner edges of the rolled portions 3i3:i are free and substantially abut one another when the clamping member is not assembled upon the jacket. However, when assembled, these portions are spread apart by the walls 86-45 of the jacket and by virtue of their rolled formation exert a yielding pressure upon these walls at all times.

The clamping member is preferably formed with means for self-locking the member in adjusted position on the jacket H0. This means is preferably accomplished by providing a pair of recesses 3636 on each side of the slot 30 and opening thereinto adjacent to the widened end portions 32 thereof. These recesses 36-35 form on each side of the slot two opposite end tongues or detents 38 and a wider tongue in the center. These tongues 38 are so related to the side walls Iii-I6 of the jacket that they may be releasably locked in adjusted position thereon. For this purpose, the walls JG-4t are provided with a series of bosses 40, alternating with slightly depressed areas between each pair of bosses, with which the tongues 38 catch to resistingly hold the clamping members against backward movement in use. When moving the member toward the discharge end 2% of the jack et, the tongues 38 spring over the bosses 40 as it is advanced in step-by-step manner down the length of the jacket and catch in any one of the valleys between the bosses to releasably lock the member in adjusted position.

The tongues 38 force the clamping member [4 forward to produce a resilient forward thrust, and the resilient rolled or curved portions 343il support the clamping member 14 in upright transverse position by rearward thrust, which yields to manual forward pressure on the outer transverse edges of said clamping member for advancement step by step with a dragging effect, or for dismounting.

Preferably the dispensing tube has a rotatable cap which in one position of its rotation allows the content material to discharge therefrom and in another position of its rotation cuts off and seals the discharge opening preventing further discharge of the content material. Such a cap is indicated at 42 and as shown is rotatably connected .by a rivet 44 or the like to a rigidifying member or head 46 having two opposite laterally extending channel shaped arms 4l4'l which are clenched to the end of the tube as shown in Fig. l. The cap is provided with a discharge opening 48 offset to the axis of the rivet 44 and in one position of its rotation is adapted to register with a discharge opening in the base of the head member 46. For this purpose, the member 46 is made circular in formation as shown in dotted outline in Fig. 3 to form a base upon which the cap rotates and to provide the discharge opening indicated in dotted outline at 5B. When the cap is rotated in a clockwise direction in Fig. 3 the two discharge outlets or ports 48 and 50 are brought into registration for the discharge of the content material from the tube. When the cap is turned so that the two ports are out of registration, such as shown in Fig. 3, the cap cuts off the stream of content material and prevents further discharge thereof.

Preferably the action of the cap is assisted by means of a spring in the form of a flexible blade 52 interposed between one end of the head member 46 and a projecting lever or handle 54 accents formed onithe. cap. j=blade is aso e'onstructed and mounted as to yielding'ly urge flie -0812112130 cut-off :position :but -upon :manual pressure ibeingsexertedion- :thellever $54 will yield so that the cap-.may beiturned to bring theports into registration. u'lhe Zhead member alt as described in my aforesaideapplication -is clenched or otherwise .-secure,d to =the .end of the tdispensing itu'be. is preferably accomplished as described therein :by making the :head in a channel formation "havingathe iwidened intermediate portion 415 to \which stheicap Lissecured an d narrow-opposite- 1y extending A channel sections illt] The latter; are i clenched :to ithe flattened corner portions of :the tube which .as described in the aforesaid application may :be (of (triangular riormation. The iintermediate widened portion-of the head fiiallows thesidawallsiofitheJtubei1 2 to be spaced apart :at :the dischargeend to permit the :content :material -thereof ltO be advanced against :the .widened portion of the channel member if or discharge zthrough its port :50. 1

dispensing device for collapsible :containers comprising :a back plate having a narrow elongate slit through which flattened portionsofacontainer are drawn, said back plate having resilient tongues engageable with the flattoned portions "of the container drawn through the slit and creatin .a forward thrust on the plate, said back plate having .fOlWitldly and Jinwardly curved resilient portions adapted -to hear ontheiopposite sides of the container and create a resilient rearward thrust ion said plate.

2. A dispensing device for ..collapsible con- .tainers comprising a back .plate .having -a.=,-narrow elongated slit through which flattened portions of a container are drawn, said back plate having one or more resilient tongues on each side having :resilient inward and forward thrust,

counteracted by forwardly and inwardly curved portions that produce a resilient rearward thrust, said tongues and curved portions cooperating to hold the plate approximately perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the container for creating a squeezing pressure to expel the contents of the container.

3. A dispensing device for collapsible tubes comprising a back plate having a narrow elongated slit with one or more resilient tongues on each side having resilient inward and forward thrust, counteracted by forwardly and inwardly curved portions that produce a resilient rearward thrust, thus the tongues and curved portions cooperate to hold the plate approximately perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the container when assembled thereon, advancement is obtained by applying manual forward pressure on the outer transverse edges of the plate first one edge then the other causing the resilient curved portions to decrease, releasing and advancing the resilience tongues dragging them from one position to another, therefor a resilient thrust on the container from the device in opposite directions to releasably lock the device against rearward movement.

4. The combination, as previously claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the plate member is operably assembled upon the rear end of the casing, adapted to create additional inward pressure, when said pressure is required, thus creating a wiping effect on the opposite sides of said casing through the step by step advancement thereon, said plate member acting as a releasable lock against rearward movement of the content material and ;in ithe cforward qdischarge end of the :tube, saidrcasing iresilient material, having two wall sections and two marginaliportions, whichiareloperably secured together along their .side edge, substantially flat in normal po-. sition, and imanually expandable zto .areceire lthe collapsible iportionpf 1a :collapsible tube, the Gasing ihaving vmeans :engaging :the icimtour @of said :portion of the iatube securing ill; therein, and urging itself :toward :its :normal rposition -.collaps ing ;-said portion zof the :tube as ithe icontent :material expelledzfor zuse.

A device for -.-expelling scontent ,material from collapsible itubes comprising, in combination, v,a iselfecollapsible easing .iof resilient ;material, havingtwo \wallsections with two :.mar ginal .portions, .isecured together :along their side edges, substantially flat in :normal :position, :and manually expandable to :a substantial :ci-rcular formation, of sufficient :size to {encircle :a :collapsible portion of ,a collapsible tube :on -;-which it isztoqact, the icasingihavingrmeansvof engaging the contour of the portiomsecuring it there-- and urging itself ztoward its irnormal position collapsing .isaid portion -,of the tube as its contentimaterial ;is-;expel1e d for-use.

, 6. ,The combination, .as previouslytclaimed in claimihrand ,characterizediin that the device has means :of exert-ins a desired i-ameunt :of inward pressure 311150118 lend, inndea progressively lesser inward pressure :as @the mother nend iisapp ioacherl.

:7. A device efor :expelling content ;material from collapsible tubes comprising, ,in {combination, .-.a self-collaps ble -.c, asing 40f resilient enaterial, substantially dial; :in normal position, :haw ing two .xmarginal gportions isecured dongitudinal,- ly to the ed es mf :tWo e-opposing wall sections, collapsing them .upon one another, expandable to :a substantial circular formation, of sufiicient size to encircle 1a ;,collapsible portion .of :a collapsible tube on whichcit lie .to act, the :rear ends of the wall sections engages the flattened sealed end of the tube, the wall sections cooperating with the marginal portions through their connections, to exert a self-induced compression causing said opposing wall sections to collapse upon said portion of the collapsible tube, producing pressure thereon to expel the content material therefrom. j

8. A device for expelling content material from collapsible tubes comprising, in combination, a self-collapsible casing normally substantially flat, and capable of expansion to encircle a collapsible portion of a collapsible tube, and engage its contour on opposite sides, the casing having two opposing wall sections with marginal portions, inherently resilient material joined along their side edges, thus yieldingly tending to collapse the opposing wall sections toward one another exerting pressure on the contour of said portion of the tube therein, to expel the content material therefrom.

9. A device for expelling content material from collapsible tubes comprising, in combination, a

the collapsible tube received therein, and automatically operable to impose a squeezing pressure thereon.

10. An article of manufacture, in combination, a se1f-collapsible elongated jacket of resilient material having two opposing wall sections, and two resilient marginal portions operable integrally connected together along their longitudinal side edges, and resiliently urged toward one another by such integral side connections to a normally substantially collapsed position, said jacket having a length substantially equal to the collapsible portion of a collapsible container, and capable of being radially expanded on its longitudinal axis to encircle and conform approximately to the contour of the container therewithin, said marginal portions cooperatively yieldingly resisting such radial expansion, and acting to resiliently urge the Wall sections to a substantially collapsed condition, to thereby exert a compressive force on the container received in the jacket, expelling the content material as required therefrom.

11. A device for expelling the contents from I collapsible containers comprising, in combination, a self-collapsible hollow casing normally substantially flat of resilient material, having two opposing wall sections, and marginal portions of resilient material, integrally secured to the longitudinal side edges of said opposing wall sections, capable of manual expansion to encircle a collapsible portion of a collapsible tube, said marginal portions pretensioned to resiliently draw the opposing wall sections toward one another, to exert a self-induced compressive force on the container received therein, adapted to expel the content material as required.

12. A device for expelling content material from collapsible tubes comprising, in combination, a self-collapsible casing of resilient material, having two wall sections and two marginal portions, which are operably secured together along their side edge, substantially fiat in normal position, and manually expandable to receive the collapsible portion of a collapsible tube, the casing having means of engaging the contour of said portion of the tube securing it therein, and urging itself toward its normal position, a back plate member having a narrow elongated slit with one or more resilient tongues on each side thereof, adapted to produce an inward and forward thrust when operably assembled on a flattened engaging section of the casing, the plate member having resilient curved portions producing a rearward thrust to counteract the forward thrust, thus providing means of additional inward thrust to squeeze the content material toward the discharge end of the tube, the platemember providing means of releasably locking the content material in the forward end of the tube for expelling therefrom.

13. The combination, as previously claimed in claim 12, and characterized in that the device has means of exerting a desired amount of inward pressure at one end, and a pnogressively lesser inward pressure at the other end is approached.

WALLACE M. HOULDSWO-RTH.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 648,981 Nelson May 8, 1900 1,654,549 Mohun Jan. 3, 1928 1,951,544 Burrell Mar. 20, 1934 1,989,713 Smith Feb. 5, 1935 2,390,314 Massey Dec. 4, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 285,745 Great Britain Feb. 23, 1928 

